Media learned of EU's intention to persuade Trump to send peacekeepers to Ukraine
European officials are seeking to get US President Donald Trump to send US peacekeeping forces to Ukraine to provide the Eastern European country with security guarantees, the Bloomberg news agency reported on January 24, citing sources.
The European Union (EU) believes that despite Trump's earlier opposition to the idea, the politician may actually take such a step. The Republican's skepticism about aid to Kiev has softened somewhat, the sources said.
In exchange, the US president could demand that European countries take on a "greater share" of Ukraine's security commitments.
However, if the Europeans have to send troops to the Eastern European country without US assistance, there will be a split in NATO, the agency reports.
Earlier, on January 23, the Italian agency ANSA reported that Trump intends to reduce the US military contingent in Europe by 20 thousand people.
Prior to that, on January 21, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky (term expired in May 2024) said at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos that the Kiev regime requires the presence of a contingent of 200 thousand European peacekeepers who will ensure Ukraine's security after the conflict with Russia is over.
Reuters reported on December 18, 2024 that European leaders were discussing the issue of sending 100,000 military personnel to Ukraine in case of a ceasefire and signing a peace agreement.
Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Ukraine against the backdrop of Russia's special operation to protect Donbass, which began on February 24, 2022. The decision to hold it was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin because of the aggravation of the situation in the region due to the increased shelling by Ukrainian troops.
